The Dell is a beautiful, creative and versatile space to host a retreat or event of any kind. We love to fill our Tipi space in the woods with creative workshops, foot stomping gigs and beautiful supper clubs beneath the pines, check out our line up below and catch something interesting during your holiday.
Do get in touch if you're considering bringing your own event to the Dell.
The Dell is right in the heart of the Cairngorms and on the edge of the Abernethy Forest the Dell is a peaceful place with great access to true wilderness. Accommodation is versatile and our studio space is set within the forest in our Scandinavian Tipi.
We make sure your guests have the environment that allows them to relax and gain the most from the retreat and we also have a couple of fantastic recommendations for catering.
Music has been our true tonic over the last little while and we have built a stack of our 'Woodland Wireless' playlists on Spotify to form a connection with the woods, even when you're not able to visit.
Soundscape draws from this library, carefully selecting tracks that stir us and resonate with the landscape surrounding us to take us on a meditative musical journey into the deeper, more hidden trails surrounding the Dell.
Each walk takes around an hour and will be punctuated with birdsong interludes and hot cups.
Only requirements are Premium Spotify account, good headphones and some sturdy footwear.
This is available all year round.
Our favourite night is back! The Gather Inn will be opening again from Friday 3rd April and we personally can't wait.
A space for you to unwind on a Friday evening and kick off your weekend in the right way
The tipi has always been the perfect space for gathering and enjoying a drink around the fire, but to top it off we will be joined (most Fridays) by 'Highland Slice' serving up tasty pizzas and Rik's kitchen with their delicious plant based Asian inspired offerings. You can pre-order with both Highland Slice and Rik's kitchen from the Monday prior from 9am, just follow the links on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
We don't take table bookings for the Gather Inn, just turn up, we have plenty of seats inside and out, kids welcome until 8pm. A friendly reminder that if you're coming with kids, please keep them supervised at all times, particularly on the play area.
The Gather Inn will NOT be running on the following dates:
12th June and 25th September
We hope to see you there sometime x
We look forward to welcoming back YOAS who are well versed in hosting and leading in retreats that are both relaxing and rejuvenating. This time hosted by the wonderful Roanna Doleman.
Each day will begin with a flowing asana class to align to body and breath in our woodland Tipi under the pine trees and open to birdsong and the forest beyond.
After the morning class there will be a hearty breakfast before you head out to explore the surrounding area on foot, by mountain bike, take a dip or simply relax. There will be a delicious healthy light lunch and the group will meet again in the late afternoon for a more restorative practice to delve deeper into the postures. Evening practice will be followed by a nourishing dinner and fireside chats.
Arrival is from 4pm onwards on Monday 14 September and departure is by 10am on Friday 18 September.
For more information please get in touch
Freya Rae and Tim Lane (of Hidden Orchestra) present Divergence, a captivating performance of original music inspired by traditional melodies and contemporary creativity. The tunes, written by Freya in 2020, blend flute, whistles, clarinet, tongue drum, percussion, and subtle electronic effects to create a rich, contemporary sound rooted in tradition. Since premiering the project at Edinburgh TradFest in May 2025, they have also performed at their album launch at the Pianodrome and at Knockengorroch and Kelso Folk Festival. Divergence celebrates the meeting of old and new through lyrical melodies, inventive arrangements, and immersive live performance.
Something a bit lovely and different!
Doors and tipi bar open from 6.30pm with music starting around 7.30pm
We'd love to see you there
Outdoor cooking, reimagined — brought back to its simplest, most natural form, where ingredients meet the embers.
The Wilder Kitchen is more than a way of cooking; it’s about eating well, slowing down, and making the connection with nature.
To book please email info@thewilderkitchen.co.uk
Cheesemaking, seasonal cooking, long lunches and a slow week in the Cairngorms.
Join cheesemaker Kristen Allan at The Dell for a week immersed in good food, slow cheesemaking and the beautiful landscape of the Cairngorms. Over the course of the week, you’ll make a variety of cheeses from scratch, from fresh cheeses and mozzarella to more traditional, longer-aged styles, while discovering the craft, traditions and simple pleasures of making food by hand. You’ll have plenty of cheese to enjoy during the week and take home with you, too.
There will be plenty of time in the kitchen, but this is no cookery school. Days will unfold at a relaxed pace, with long lunches around the table, seasonal suppers, walks through the forest, time to swim or explore, and plenty of space to simply slow down.
If you’re familiar with Kristen’s workshops, you’ll know she’s passionate about using the whole of the milk. Throughout the week, you’ll cook delicious food incorporating everything we make, from curds to whey. Think rich tomato sugo, venison ragù bianco, polenta with wild mushrooms and buttermilk farmers cheese, whey sodas and focaccia made with whey, alongside mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella, butter, yoghurt and fresh cheeses.
Expect generous tables, good conversation, fireside evenings and the occasional glass of something lovely. A week to learn, make, eat and enjoy the simple rhythm of life in the Highlands.
Suitable for: anyone who loves good food and enjoys making it — from absolute beginners to passionate home cooks and experienced chefs. No previous cheesemaking experience is needed; just come ready to cook, learn, eat and slow down. Get in touch to book
Husband and wife team Kim and Alex host a 3 day ski touring retreat at the Dell exploring the best backcountry skiing the Cairngorm National Park has to offer. On snow adventure is complimented by off snow learning to develop your personal ski touring skills and mountain awareness to leave you more confident about venturing out on your own or stepping up to your next winter challenge.
Everything is taken care of from accommodation and meals to guiding and teaching so you can relax at the Dell and enjoy the mountains.
Between them Kim and Alex have over 25 years experience leading groups skiing on and off piste in Europe and Scotland. When they aren't skiing Kim runs yoga and fitness retreats and Alex runs a smallholding with his brother.
Please get in touch for more information or if you would like to book with Kim.
If you have stayed at the Dell or simply like the look of what we do here you can now pass it on by way of a voucher.
Whether it be a romantic break, a weekend yoga retreat, a fire pit session or a bottle of wine on arrival, allow us to look after this for you.